Guided by Sister Yan, Artoria and Minerva, along with the accompanying Captain Zhui Feng, walked into the spacious and minimalist reception room on the top floor of the Angel International Building.
Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows was the bustling night view of Juxia City, with brilliant lights, but the indoor lighting was adjusted to be soft and solemn.
Reina had already stood up from the position where she had previously confronted Sister Yan. She stood with her arms crossed, leaning against the window on the other side, scrutinizing Artoria and Minerva as they entered, especially the long sword at Artoria's waist that instinctively made her feel a hint of suppression.
"Sit." Sister Yan casually pointed to the sofa in the center of the reception room and sat down in a single sofa first, her posture still lazy, but her eyes clear.
Artoria and Minerva sat side by side on the long sofa opposite Sister Yan. Minerva's movements were natural and elegant, while Artoria was slightly reserved, but her back was straight. Captain Zhui Feng did not sit down, but like the most loyal guard, stood quietly inside the entrance of the reception room, his aura restrained, yet giving people a sense of stability like Bedrock.
Reina also walked over but did not sit down, just leaning on the armrest of the sofa, her gaze scanning back and forth between Artoria, Minerva, and Sister Yan, obviously evaluating these newly added variables.
"Alright, everyone is here, we can continue." Sister Yan crossed her fingers on her lap and looked at Reina, "Where were we? Oh, right, about Earth's'security guarantees' and 'risk control'. The main god Reina seems to have some complaints about the Angel's 'observation' stance?"
"Shouldn't I have?" Reina's tone was still sharp, "Earth is the Earth of Earthlings, not your Angel's experimental field, nor is it an observation station for you to observe whatever 'Ultimate Fear'! When demons come, when Taotie come, we will find a way ourselves! There is no need for you to be high and mighty, pointing fingers, talking about'supervision' and 'prevention'!"
"Hasn't Lieyang been 'pointing fingers' on Earth?" Sister Yan's tone was still calm but hit the nail on the head, "Sunlight personally serves as an 'instructor' for the Super Seminary, guiding Earth's Super Soldiers. Isn't that also a form of intervention? The difference is that Angels at least clearly told you our stance and bottom line, while certain forces..." She paused meaningfully, "I'm afraid they don't even know what they really want to get on Earth, or, they know but dare not say."
Reina was choked, her face looking a bit ugly. Lieyang's "investment" purpose in Earth was complex, involving General's layout and her own training, which was indeed difficult to summarize in one word. But being pointed out so bluntly by the Angel made her very uncomfortable.
"At least we are here to help! We are here to help Earth train soldiers to fight against the invasion!" Reina retorted, stiffening her neck.
"Is it helping, or... investing in 'potential stocks'?" Sister Yan smiled, "Power of the Galaxy, Nuo Xing God of War... These Super Genes are not just used to fight the Taotie, right? The legacy of Deno, the work of the Super Seminary... Heh."
Seeing that the conversation was about to fall into a cycle of mutual exposure and ideological disputes, Artoria was a bit distracted. She listened quietly, analyzing the information in Sister Yan and Reina's words, but the more she listened, the more she felt that this conversation was actually shadowboxing.
Sister Yan represented the Angel Civilization, conveying the Angel Civilization's attention, warning, and a certain "reserved right of intervention" stance regarding the situation on Earth. She was exerting pressure, observing the reactions of Reina and the Lieyang behind her, and even the Super Seminary.
Reina was more defending herself, as well as the "rationality of existence" and "freedom of action" of Lieyang and the Super Seminary on Earth, feeling dissatisfied and vigilant about the Angel's "supervision."
But the core of their argument—"what should Earth do," "who is qualified to decide Earth's fate"—seemed to be missing the most critical party: Earthlings themselves.
Yes, the Super Seminary and Military represented by Du Kao might have some ideas, but is that the will of all Earthlings? What about those ordinary people who are busy living under the neon lights of Juxia City, perhaps still ignorant of the disaster about to descend from the starry sky above? What about the governments of various countries? In this complex civilization, is there really anyone who can "represent" Earth?
Just as Artoria's thoughts drifted away and her brows unconsciously furrowed slightly, she was suddenly gently nudged beside her.
It was Sister Yan. She didn't know when she had turned her body slightly, using her elbow to nudge Artoria's arm extremely slightly but unmistakably, with that signature smile on her face that seemed to be able to see through people's hearts, asking in a low voice, but the voice was enough for everyone in the room to hear clearly:
"Little Artoria, after listening for so long, why don't you say something? Do you think... this 'friendly exchange' of ours will have a result? Should... Angels 'manage' this mess on Earth?"
In an instant, all eyes were focused on Artoria.
There was scrutiny and a hint of curiosity in Reina's eyes; she also wanted to hear what high opinion this "guest," who was so valued by the Angels yet appeared exceptionally young, would have.
Minerva looked at her gently and firmly, silently conveying support.
Captain Zhui Feng was still expressionless, but there seemed to be a hint of attention in the depths of his eyes.
Artoria was stunned by Sister Yan's sudden "roll call," but she quickly regained her composure. She did not answer Sister Yan's question immediately, but first looked at Reina, then at Sister Yan, with a glimmer of thought flashing in her clear eyes.
"Sister Yan," she began, her voice not loud, but clear and steady, "I think... to discuss the question of'Should Angels manage Earth,' we must first clarify, who are we talking to here?"
She paused, organizing her language: "You represent the Angel Civilization, coming to contact the relevant parties on Earth and express your stance, which is no problem. I... can be considered closely related to the Angels, which can be understood as... some kind of extension or witness of the Angel's stance."
When she said "I can be considered closely related to the Angels, which can be understood as... some kind of extension or witness of the Angel's stance," the expression on Captain Zhui Feng's face, standing at the door, which was as cold as Bedrock, softened imperceptibly for a moment. And outside the perception range of this reception room, those two faint, obscure auras belonging to the fourth-generation god level, which had always been covering this place like background radiation, also seemed to fluctuate slightly, conveying an indescribable meaning mixed with relief, recognition, and relaxation. The "Sword-Bearer" they were protecting finally began to clearly realize and calmly accept her identity, which was closely connected and shared honor and disgrace with the Angel Civilization. This made them feel more at ease than any recognition of power.
Artoria did not notice these subtle changes. She continued to look at Reina, who had a "So what?" expression on her face, her tone gentle but with a hint of unquestionable clarity:
"But, Reina... can you represent Earth?"
Reina was stunned by the question and instinctively said: "I... I am an instructor at the Super Seminary! I am helping Earth train soldiers!"
"You are the main god of the Lieyang Civilization, Sunlight," Artoria corrected, her tone still calm, "You came to Earth with your own mission and purpose. You help train Super Soldiers, and Earth may be grateful, but this does not mean you can 'represent' the overall will of the Earth civilization to decide whether Earth accepts some kind of 'protection' or'supervision,' or to negotiate with Angels about the 'risks' and'security' of Earth's future."
She looked at the brilliant city lights outside the window, her voice very soft but knocking on everyone's heart: "Earth has nearly eight billion people, hundreds of countries, thousands of ethnic groups and cultures, different governments, different demands. Some of them may yearn for powerful foreign aid, some may insist on independence, and some may not even know what has happened. Who is qualified to make decisions for these eight billion people, saying 'We accept or reject Angel intervention'?"
"General Du Kao can represent the Chinese Military, and perhaps can represent a part of the will of the Super Seminary, but can he represent the countries and people of North America, Europe, and other continents? Can he represent those ordinary people who know nothing about Super Genes and interstellar wars?"
Artoria's gaze turned back to Sister Yan and Reina, with a kind of almost naive confusion in her eyes, but it pointed directly to the core:
"So, Sister Yan, I think today's conversation, actually... will not have a result. Because the 'Earth' dialogue party is not really sitting here. We are discussing whether Angels should 'manage' Earth here, it's like... it's like a few people discussing what kind of anti-theft door to install for a house full of people, but the Master is not at home, and they don't ask if the residents in the house need it, like it, or agree to it."
"Reina, you might be able to represent some attitude of Lieyang, and can influence some decisions of the Super Seminary, but you cannot represent those eight billion Earthlings. And I... and Sister Yan, might be able to represent part of the Angel's will, but we also cannot make decisions for Earthlings."
"Whether Angels intervene, and how to intervene, should perhaps be based on the Angel's own 'Justice' criteria, based on the maintenance of the order of the Known Universe, based on the protection of the weak... But ultimately, whether they 'need' and 'accept' this intervention, the decision-making power should perhaps be in the hands of Earthlings themselves—if they can form a relatively unified will. But now it seems..."
Artoria smiled helplessly, "Internally, they seem to have a hard time reaching a consensus."
After finishing these words, the reception room fell into a brief silence.
Reina opened her mouth, wanting to retort, but found that what Artoria said... seemed to make a lot of sense. She had always considered herself "helping Earth" and was accustomed to participating in Earth's affairs as a "Main God" and "Instructor," but she had never carefully thought about the issue of "representation." Yes, why should she represent Earth? General sent her here for the interests of Lieyang and her own training; she taught Ge Xiaolun and the others with her own philosophy and preferences; but what do Earthlings think? She seemed... to have never asked, nor thought about it carefully.
Sister Yan looked at Artoria, the playfulness and scrutiny in her eyes gradually replaced by a deeper appreciation and thought. She did not expect that this seemingly immature "little school sister," who was closely protected, could see problems so thoroughly, hitting the nail on the head to point out the essential dilemma of all current diplomatic contacts—Earth, as a pre-nuclear civilization, when facing interstellar-level threats, its own political structure is loose and its will is not unified, leading to its fundamental inability to form an effective "dialogue entity" that can be recognized by the outside world. Whether it's Angels, demons, Lieyang, or Styx... everyone is actually dealing with a "part" of Earth, or rather, acting according to their own scripts, utilizing the "fragmentation" of Earth.
"Interesting point." Sister Yan finally spoke again, leaning back, her posture more relaxed, "So, your meaning is, before 'Earth' itself can truly'sit' at the negotiating table and clearly express its overall will, any discussion we have here about specific 'managing' or 'not managing' is building castles in the air?"
"At least, it is incomplete." Artoria nodded, then added, "Of course, if demons or Taotie launch a direct large-scale invasion, threatening the lives of countless civilians, I think... regardless of whether Earthlings ask for help, or whether a unified opinion has been formed, with the Angel's 'Justice' order, they will not sit idly by. That is a problem at another level."
Her words both pointed out the current diplomatic dilemma and implicitly expressed the bottom line that Angels would not stand idly by in the face of large-scale atrocities, with the sense of proportion handled just right.
Reina looked at the girl narrating calmly in front of her, for the first time putting away her previous contempt and impatience. This Artoria... seems not as simple as she looks. Her words forced her to start thinking about some problems she had previously ignored.
The smile on Sister Yan's face deepened. She picked up the fragrant drink on the table that had been brought by an Angel attendant at some unknown time, and took a gentle sip.
"It seems that bringing you on this trip to Earth was a correct decision." She put down the cup, her gaze toward Artoria having a bit more genuine smile, "At least, it made us all a little clearer. So..."
Her gaze turned to the deep night sky outside the window, her tone becoming distant again:
"Let us see, before the storm truly arrives, whether the 'residents' in this 'house' can... discuss a set of rules themselves first."
"Before that... we Angels will just be patient... 'audience' for now."
The conversation in the reception room came to a temporary end in an unexpected yet thought-provoking way. But under the night sky of Juxia City, the undercurrents had never stopped surging.
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